Lynn E. Garner, Chair
290 TMCB, (801) 422-2061
College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences Advisement Center
N-179 ESC, (801) 422-6270
Admission to Degree Program
The degree program in the Department of Mathematics is open
enrollment.
The Discipline
Mathematics is a means of dealing with order, pattern, and
number as seen in the world around us. The abilities to compute,
to think logically, and to take a reasoned approach to solving
problems are highly valued in society and are characteristics of
any educated person. Mathematics is not just a body of
knowledge, but a process of analysis, reasoning, comparison,
deduction, generalization, and problem solving.
A mathematician's stock in trade is the ability to solve
problems and to explain the solutions to others. Having once
determined what the right questions are, solving problems
involves analyzing both concrete and abstract situations, relating
them to mathematical ideas, and using mathematical techniques
to work toward solutions. Explaining the solution involves
pointing out what has been solved and why the solution is valid.
Career Opportunities
Majors in mathematics (BS) prepare for a wide variety of careers.
Some enter graduate school or professional schools and prepare
for careers in such fields as college teaching, consulting, research
and development, law, medicine, and business administration.
Others take positions in government agencies, industrial
laboratories, information management firms, or business
organizations. All of them spend much time communicating with
colleagues about the problems they are solving as they continue to
learn more mathematics and share mathematical ideas with
others.
Graduation Requirements
To receive a BYU bachelor's degree a student must complete, in
addition to all requirements for a specific major, the following
university requirements:
- The university core, consisting of requirements in general and
religious education. (See the University Core section of this
catalog for details. For a complete listing of courses that meet
university core requirements, see the current class schedule.)
- A minimum of 30 credit hours in residence
- A minimum of 120 credit hours
- A cumulative GPA of at least 2.0
Undergraduate Programs and Degrees
| BS |
Mathematics |
| Minor |
Mathematics |
Students should see their college advisement center for help or
information concerning the undergraduate programs.
Graduate Programs and Degrees
| MS |
Mathematics |
| PhD |
Mathematics |
For more information see the BYU 2006–2007 Graduate
Catalog.
Advisement
Upon completion of five core courses (from Math 112, 113, 190,
214, 343), undergraduate majors are required to meet with an
assigned faculty advisor. Students whose grade point average is
less than a B in the first four core courses need to realize that
advanced courses require much more depth of understanding and
may be difficult for them.
Students who are considering graduate work in
mathematics may receive advice from the graduate coordinator.
General Information
- It is recommended that a student complete the following
courses in high school:
4 unites of English
1 unit of physics or chemistry.
4 units of mathematics, including 2.5 units of algebra, 1 unit of
geometry, and .5 unit of trigonometry. This qualifies a
student to begin college mathematics with Math 112. If
calculus is available in high school, a student planning to
major in mathematics is strongly encouraged to take it;
doing so requires completing one of the preceding algebra
units before high school.
Advanced Placement (AP) credit is available in mathematics
as follows:
A score of 3 on the calculus AB exam gives credit in Math 110
and 111; a score of 4 or 5 on the calculus AB exam gives
credit in Math 110 and 112.
A score of 3, 4, or 5 on the calculus BC exam gives credit in
Math 112 and 113.
An AP student without credit in Math 112 must begin with
Math 112; an AP student without credit in Math 113 must
begin with Math 112 or 113.
AP students with credit in Math 113 are urged to begin with
Math 113 anyway, unless they scored 5 on the calculus BC
exam.
AP students should direct Educational Testing Service (ETS) to
report scores to BYU to have credit posted.
- Questions regarding placement should be directed to the
Mathematics Department, 292 TMCB.
- Majors are strongly urged to study Phscs 121 and 220 during
their first two years.
